Breastfeeding
Babies are born to breastfeed! Babies need breastmilk for the normal development of their bodies, minds, and immune systems. Read 10 Things Expectant Parents Need to Know about Breastfeeding and 101 Reasons to Breastfeed Your Child to learn why.
Just because breastfeeding is natural doesn't mean it's always easy, however, as I learned the hard way! The best time to read up on breastfeeding and find your support network is before your baby is born. Take a breastfeeding class. Attend a La Leche League meeting. Call and interview local lactation consultants. Spend as much time as possible reading through Kellymom, the best breastfeeding site on the Web.
Even the best-prepared woman can be thrown off course when the birth and early days of her baby don't go as planned. Almost all problems can be overcome with the right information and support. A great place for on-line support is the Breastfeeding forum at Mothering magazine's discussion board.
If you have problems breastfeeding after your baby is born, don't wait -- get professional help immediately from a lactation consulant (preferably board-certified) and call your local La Leche League leader, who will help you for free! It is not necessarily a good idea to rely solely on your doctor for breastfeeding advice. Unless she is a board-certified lactation consultant or has specialized training, her advice may not be current. Doctors and nurses often do not study breastfeeding in medical or nursing school, and are not always qualified to give competent advice on breastfeeding problems. Nor are hospital lactation consultants always the best resource. Many are not board-certified and most are extremely busy and may not have enough time to give you adequate help.
Give breastfeeding time -- even when everything goes well, which is most of the time, it can take a good six weeks for you and your baby to learn how to nurse without needing six arms and four pillows! As with everything in life, practice makes perfect, and you and your baby will get the hang of it together.
* Please note -- the information on this page is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your medical provider or lactation consultant for information on any specific breastfeeding problem you encounter with your baby.
Breastfeeding and Babywearing
Using a baby sling or baby carrier is a great way to nurse your baby conveniently and discreetly. With a little practice, you can even latch baby on and nurse hands-free while going about your day! Here are some resources to help you figure out how to breastfeed with your sling or carrier:
